Former Mulago National Referral Hospital Engineer Perez Batanda has turned himself in at the Anti-Corruption Court following multiple summons over allegations of causing significant financial losses to the hospital.
Batanda, who appeared in court using crutches due to a mobility ailment, is the last of ten suspects to face charges related to irregular payments made during his tenure at the hospital.
Batanda, alongside nine other former Mulago Hospital officials, including the hospital's former Executive Director, Dr. Byarugaba Baterana, faces charges of financial mismanagement and breach of procurement procedures.
Prosecutors accuse the group of authorizing multiple and duplicate payments amounting to over UGX 970 million to two companies, Setramanco International Ltd and Convention World Ltd. These payments were allegedly made for the relocation and installation of equipment that had already been paid for by the hospital.
The offenses are said to have taken place between the financial years 2016/2017 and 2019/2020.
According to the prosecution, led by Gloria Inzikuru, the irregular payments were part of a broader scheme that saw the government lose more than UGX 11 billion due to flawed procurement practices in the maintenance and repair of sterilizing equipment at the hospital.
All ten accused persons deny the charges. Dr. Byarugaba and the other defendants appeared in court today in compliance with their bail conditions.
The case has been adjourned until November 11, 2024, for further hearing.
This high-profile case underscores the Ugandan government’s ongoing efforts to tackle corruption within public institutions, particularly in the health sector, which has seen numerous corruption-related scandals in recent years.
